tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39461992009-04-13T09:14:18.867-07:00He that would live in peace and at ease, Must not speak all he knows, nor judge all he sees. (B Franklin)Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.comBlogger131125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946199.post-16679972714857235212008-12-04T19:07:00.000-08:002008-12-08T18:41:38.249-08:00

I thought this was interesting. I've been through or in (at least a highway-blast-through or an airport-touch-down) more states than I thought.visited 33 states (66%)Create your own visited map of The United States.

Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946199.post-90165093958154748962008-11-08T16:44:00.000-08:002008-11-08T17:29:44.785-08:00

My wife and I have been travelling down to southern Oregon to visit the Oregon Shakespeare Festival every year since 1996, before we were even a couple. But it is only this year that we seem to have become “Ashland nerds.”It might have been the fact that we made the trip twice this year, as our usual five-day trip, this time in June, wasn’t enough to get us the plays that everyone was talking

Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946199.post-82180581092300905942008-10-01T21:38:00.000-07:002008-10-01T21:41:49.641-07:00

I intend to log more items here than I have over the last several months. I’ll start with this summary of my backpacking season.It started during a favorite month for hiking: May. During May’s first weekend, a couple of Mountaineers and I hiked up to the beginning of the big patches of snow in the Elwha River, in Olympic National Park (ONP) – all told, 16.5 miles one way. (We were more than a

Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946199.post-56040593798790443672008-04-08T20:18:00.000-07:002008-04-08T20:18:06.169-07:00

Fafblog! back to save the universe.: "So for the last five years all the liberals and the hippies and the nattering nabobs of normalcy have been coming up to Giblets and going 'Was the war a mistake Giblets?' and 'Are we losing the war Giblets?' and 'Oh look at all the dead people Giblets, maybe we should stop the war.' And the correct answers to these questions have been 'Shut up,' 'Shut up you

Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946199.post-82639691630862617002008-02-23T16:11:00.001-08:002008-02-23T16:11:37.305-08:00

This is as good a way to break the silence of the last couple of months as any. I was in Washington, DC last weekend for the Winter Meetings of the National Association of Utility Regulatory Commissions (how's that for an awkward title?). I had a couple of hours to kill before the first meeting, so I walked down to the Mall from my hotel (which, while nice, wasn't as bright as the photos in the

Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946199.post-32552618620322838592008-01-03T08:17:00.000-08:002008-02-23T16:13:05.160-08:00

Clive Thompson on How the Next Victim of Climate Change Will Be Our Minds:Australia is suffering through its worst dry spell in a millennium. The outback has turned into a dust bowl, crops are dying off at fantastic rates, cities are rationing water, coral reefs are dying, and the agricultural base is evaporating.But what really intrigues Glenn Albrecht — a philosopher by training — is how his

Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946199.post-73080037637643166732007-12-09T18:35:00.000-08:002007-12-09T18:42:20.867-08:00

We're an inch from the month's worth of rainfall, and it's only the 9th of December. (Click on images for larger version.)

Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946199.post-13287263389867343902007-11-22T17:00:00.000-08:002007-11-25T10:25:34.289-08:00

My wife and I traveled down to Troutdale to spend the Thanksgiving holiday at McMenamins Edgefield. I struggled briefly with how to characterize this place, what to call it, and left it at "Edgefield." It's not exactly a resort, nor is it any one other thing that I can think of. It occupies the site and buildings of the Multnomah County Poor Farm, initially built in 1911. It now houses a hotel,

Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946199.post-42557271042930497292007-10-27T17:00:00.000-07:002007-10-28T20:14:01.297-07:00

I had occasion to look into electronic books while preparing for my recent trip to the Alps. I wanted reading material for the train and plane coming home, but didn't want to carry a bound swatch of paper for two weeks before I could read it. Since I was taking a PDA, I looked into electronic books.My first impressions were disappointment. The titles on offer at several of the vendors were

Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946199.post-32894338153198663762007-10-26T17:00:00.000-07:002007-10-29T19:16:18.548-07:00

Last Sunday, I participated in the for my nephew's Eagle Scout Court of Honor. It has been years since I was around Boy Scouts and it was both new and familiar to me.My son was involved with Cub Scouts, but declined to continue with Boy Scouts when he turned eleven. I, on the other hand, was certain that I wanted to continue from Cub to Boy Scouts. I remember coming home from an early Boy Scout

Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946199.post-88153115275035306162007-10-22T20:50:00.001-07:002007-11-15T21:51:21.277-08:00

Preparation How to you say “Haute Route”? (Aug. 5): Text Haute Route: Find the Right Partner (Aug. 16): Text Haute Route: Going Where And Going Long (Aug. 23): Text Haute Route: Getting Psyched (Aug. 26): Text Where is the Haute Route? (Aug. 27): Text The First Week Dispatch from Chamonix, France (Sep. 6): Text Photos Dispatch from Argentière, France (Sep. 7): Text Photos Dispatch

Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946199.post-63970351894113655312007-10-09T21:41:00.000-07:002007-10-09T21:50:29.810-07:00

This will be the last of my Haute Route posts, in which I’ll sum up my experience and offer some advice to those who might be considering this, or similar, trips. I’m not done with the posts I have, however. Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll make some editorial corrections and additions, especially photos, other images, and links.The one thing that I didn’t have with me that I would have liked

Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946199.post-3126039541390656882007-10-03T21:25:00.000-07:002007-10-09T21:51:32.522-07:00

Now that it’s been a week since I returned home and started back at work and I’m well past the effects of jet lag, it’s time for some impressions and conclusions about the trip to the Alps. I’ll follow this up with another post more focused on lessons from the trip that might be of use to others considering hiking the Haute Route.The first and strongest impression I formed along the way is that

Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946199.post-91967115679312870872007-09-24T12:56:00.000-07:002007-11-18T14:59:16.162-08:00

For breakfast, Stefan and I visited the local bakery (which is right next door) where Stefan enthusiastically purchased a variety of fresh and fantastic-looking baked goods. I was struck by how many of the items there can also be purchased in my home-town German bakery, Wagner's. I have to say, though, that this bakery presents their goods more attractively. I could hang out there every day. My

Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946199.post-2176955278342207382007-09-24T12:54:00.000-07:002007-11-18T14:09:48.457-08:00

So, this was a travel day -- all day on three trains to München and another to Haar, nearby. I finished packing up and dragged my stuff downstairs, checked out, and got an early breakfast. They were still setting up, but didn't bat an eye when I showed up, they just found me a seat and set me up with coffee. Great service. The train down the Mattertal is a slow ride. The track is often steep,

Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946199.post-15398827736921082342007-09-24T12:52:00.000-07:002007-11-18T13:46:13.255-08:00

The hotel had a sumptuous breakfast buffet and very attentive and energetic staff. I had only to poke my head in the door for the very model of a German-style host to greet me, except that he smiled and seemed genuinely warm. He got me a table and before I could get organized, there was real, hot coffee placed in front of me.Of course, it was a clear morning, so right after breakfast, I grabbed

Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946199.post-24040574349200676632007-09-24T12:51:00.000-07:002007-11-17T17:18:22.531-08:00

I awoke feeling better, though still sick, and, for a while, I wondered if I'd have a voice. (Not that there's that much need for it on the trail.) I let everyone else get up early, so by the time I got going there were just a few people still at breakfast. It was good, with a choice of cereals, bread with ham and cheese and jam, and good instant coffee. (This hut keeper knew her stuff.)It was

Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946199.post-53416321743700708512007-09-21T07:19:00.000-07:002007-11-17T16:45:08.351-08:00

The morning dawned cold and cloudy. Breakfast helped my mood a bit -- lots of cereal, juice, bread, ham, cheese, and good coffee. And, the clouds thinning to the north also helped. By the time I started out, it looked promising. It was still cold, though, and there was frost in the woods.This time, I bid Glyn and Elena goodbye for real, as they opted to use one of their extra days exploring the

Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946199.post-81632772757981112482007-09-21T07:17:00.000-07:002007-11-17T16:14:30.149-08:00

Of course, the day started with breakfast, early, with me all packed, because I wanted an early start to get over the pass in time to make the hike up the hill to Gasenried or to take the bus. This was the best breakfast in a while, with ham, cheese, bread, jam, and the best coffee yet.I like this little place. The big hotel up the way attracts most of the business, including everyone I know, but

Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946199.post-24359851254680865882007-09-21T07:15:00.000-07:002007-11-17T15:09:47.339-08:00

Breakfast at the Auberge Alpina was a good set up of mueslix, fresh bread, three homemade jams, and fresh coffee. The other person in the dormitory upstairs is named Swen and doing this segment of the Haute Route, so he, Glyn and Elena, and I set out shortly thereafter.I was last, as usual, so I last saw Glyn and Elena just before they reached the pass, Forcletta. Swen and I made the pass at

Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946199.post-79051591167901378632007-09-20T12:52:00.000-07:002007-11-17T14:11:55.791-08:00

Breakfast at the Cabane de Moiry was particularly sad: dry bread and jam, warm, instant coffee, and that's all. I headed down, getting fresh water at a stream nearby (no cows above me on the ice or the peaks) and made the dramatic descent to the moraine.The morning's walk was in the shade (as has been the pattern), and traversed along the steep, meadowed slopes above the Lac de Moiry for a couple

Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946199.post-14634935086183579482007-09-20T12:51:00.000-07:002007-11-10T17:10:43.379-08:00

After a good breakfast at the Hotel de La Sage, with mueslix, fruit, bread, croissant, and coffee, I started up the hill. Today would be a climb up to a pass, then down into the valley -- not too far -- and then up to the Cabane de Moiry. The weather was very good, clear skies all day, and the trail was good all the way. That means with a regular grade, a fairly smooth surface, and good footing.

Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946199.post-53038644258928498412007-09-20T12:39:00.000-07:002007-11-06T21:05:02.687-08:00

The morning dawned partly cloudy, but showed no signs of trouble. The forecast is good. After breakfast of bread, jam, mueslix with yogurt, orange juice, and coffee, I used the Internet café to send a backlog of dispatches.Arolla is a little town, but has pretty nice facilities. There were a lot of people out for walks in the meadows yesterday, as well as more ambitious folks, like the two Swiss

Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946199.post-1786947399574111162007-09-14T01:12:00.000-07:002007-11-06T20:39:14.922-08:00

We had an early breakfast, though it was late for the hut. Because so many people stay there to climb, breakfast only runs from 5 to 7. So, I had mueslix, bread and jam, and coffee at 6:30 and made a start at 7:30.The first stop was the Col des Roux, which it right above the cabin and only needed a thirty minute climb, though frosty -- and a little slippery -- rocks. From the top, you leave the

Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946199.post-16637723511288810132007-09-14T01:11:00.000-07:002007-11-04T20:09:19.925-08:00

Today was the first full day above treeline. It provided just what I came all this way for: sustained, high country travel, big views to big, snowy mountains, and wildlife sightings.The route took me up onto the slope south of Mont-Fort and out to the point, where views of the cabin end and views of the huge and beautiful Grand Combin begin. The route continues across steep, lush meadows, to Col

Mike Kretzlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205575495336130211noreply@blogger.com0